Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-10-26

gasp as l took him up. Oh. my babyi
my babyw and shc broke forth again
into piteous sobs. and, rising. started
to leave the room.
"One moment please" Clsrice said,
again OBTAINING her; ''let me 20 first.
He was asleep few moments ago, and
the doctor left orders that he must not
be disturbed"
She left the room. aud In few mo-
ments returned and motioned Eva to
follow her.
"Be as calm as possible, dear"
Clarice whispered as she left her. AS
the door closed softly behind her friend.
Eva stood still moment at her hus-
bands bedside. His head was well
covered with bandagcs ooncealing the
ugly wounds beneath, the eyes were
closed and his face wore the pallor OF
death. Her heart grew faint within
her, surely he would die, II not already
dead; and every unkind word she had
spoken rose up before her like aveng-
ing spirits. How all the old love re-
vived with ten-fold power! He had
never. even in their happiest days.
seemed so inexpressibly dear as at that
moment! Oh, If God would but spare
him, lifetime of devotion should
atone for all past unkindness.
A quick sob broke from her. notwith-
standing her efforts Of self-control.
Richards eyes Enclosed, and with a
faint smile he held out his hand to her.
Dropping on her knees by the side of
the bed she laid her head beside his
on the pillow while his arm was passed
fondly about her.
20 Dick, forgive me!'' she sobbed,
forgetting all her caution. II shall
never forgive myself! I'll never speak
an unkind word again. never, never.
while I live!" The sentences were
broken and disjointed, uttered amidst
sobs and tears.
There, there. DEAR" Richard said
gently rs he drew her face closer to
him and kissed her tenderly. Then.
with noble generosity, which seems a
part Of some mems natures, he added
kindly, II was to blame; Ishould have
been more thoughtful; I ought to have
taken you out instead of going of
alone for my own pleasure. We will
begin anew, now"
He stopped, unable to finish the sem
tence.
Eyes, I knowl Harry is dead. Oh,
my baby! my baby!" she sobbed.
Richards lips quivered and the heavy
eyelids were pressed upon the pallid
cheeks to repress the starting tears.
He drew her closely toward him and
tenderly pressed her tear-stained cheek
against his own in mute sympathy, but
could utter no word.
How very, very dear his beautiful
boy had been to the young father. mono
but God might know.
For long time they were very quiet,
Eva's sobs alone breaking the stiffness.
until at last those ceased and Richard
said softly:
"Evvie ~
Eyes, dear I"
How many long months had passed
since she had heard the dear old pet
name from his lips how many more
since she had spoken one endearing
word to him ! The sound of them now
carried them back to the old. happy
days before harsh words had been
spoken or unkind feelings held sway.
what do you wish, dearf" Eva
asked, waiting a moment for her hus-
bands request.
Harry" - his lips trembled he
could not 60 on.
Eyes, dear" Eva said softly. divin-
ing intuitively, in her new-found SYM
patty with her husband, the wish he
could not express.
Rising quietly she passed out of the
room. In few minutes she returned,
bearing the dead babe in her arms.
All the violence of her grief seemed
hushed into stiffness in the presence of
death.
Seating herself on the side of the bed,
she turned her precious burden tender
ly until the fathers eye could rest on
its face, his hands touch it without
change of position.
Never in the full flush of health and
infantile beauty had their boy looked
more lovely than now, as, robed for the
grave, he lay in his mothers arms.
The fatal wound had been deity con-
cealed. and the locks of hair fell over
the white forehead in soft. curling rings
the long lashes of the blue-veined
lids lay lightly on the fair, round cheek
the sweet, curved lips just parted with
a smile, and the pretty dimpled hands
were crossed on the lifeless breast
Too fair and beautiful he seemed for
the cofiin-the cold, dark grave.
The white lips of the young father
quivercd, and the large tears forced
their way from beneath the trembling
eyelids, rs he lay his hand on the head
of his darling boy. Then his hand
fell softly upon Eva's, with gentle,
loving clasp.
"Our darling Harry is safe in bet
ter world" he said at last, in voice
broken by emotion. "And let US, dear,
make his death the beginning of new
life OF thoughtfulness and forbearance,
each toward the other"
And Eva, touching her lips with
tender reverence to the fair, cold fore
head of her darling. said softly:
God being my helper, will prove
that the death of my precious boy has
not hann In vain p-.Tenu;e porfex